Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1506201
sagaftra.org | Summer 2023 | SAG-AFTRA 45 Members Lead the Charge SAG-AFTRA Philadelphia Local members Kristina Marie, left, and Betsy Wollensack spent the morning volunteering at the Philadelphia office in Center City Philadelphia, phone-banking calls to members in the days leading up to the strike authorization vote. The strike authorization referendum passed overwhelmingly, with 97.9% in favor. ● Philly Workshops Provide a Bonanza of Useful Info Actor, director and writer Shelly Lipkin offers self-taping tips at the Portland Local's all-day conservatory event on April 29. Attendees also had the chance to join other workshops, panels, and a speed networking event with Portland-area agents and casting directors, and there were opportunities for discounted headshots with local photographers. Over 100 members and pre-members turned out to participate, learn more about the craft, about SAG-AFTRA and the state of the industry in the Portland Local. ● Portland S AG-AFTRA New England Local member, puppeteer and owner of CJS Workshop LLC Rob Saunders speaks at the May 23 Massachusetts Production Coalition spring meeting in Boston. A New England native, Saunders relocated to Massachusetts in 2021 from Tennessee and opened CJS Workshop, a premier puppet and costume design/fabrication and maintenance/refurbishment studio dedicated to the entertainment and advertising industries. The company has grown from two to 18 full- time employees in two years and is on track to double staff in another two years. Like Saunders himself, most of the team of puppeteers on staff are SAG-AFTRA members. Saunders spoke about the company's work and unique capabilities, and how he has built a team of local artists, puppeteers, fabricators and craftspeople to serve some of the biggest entertainment companies in the world. ● New England Rob Saunders Talks Puppeteer Talent in New England